For the first time in program history, BYU defeated Boise State. The Cougars topped the Broncos by a score of 37-20 Friday night in Provo. Taysom Hill passed for 339 yards, three touchdowns and rushed for 69 yards and another touchdown in the victory. With the win, BYU automatically qualifies to fill their previously arranged spot in the Fight Hunger Bowl in San Francisco, so BYU is the first team to officially be going bowling this season.

BYU was in control from start to finish in this game, taking advantage of a more talented and deeper roster than a Boise State team that is in a bit of a rebuilding mode. BYU has put together some impressive wins this season and that is worth recalling. Aside from their blowout win over Texas and how they played against Boise State, BYU has played well in victories over Utah State (without Chuckie Keeton), Georgia Tech and previously undefeated Houston. If not for a the horrendous weather conditions in the season opener against Virginia, BYU has looked the part of a program worthy of consideration for a BCS at-large, in the same boat as Fresno State and Northern Illinois. You could even make an argument BYU has put together a better profile than Fresno State or Northern Illinois, but if nothing else we know BYU will be playing in the Fight Hunger Bowl. BYU will take on a team from the Pac 12 in the San Francisco-based bowl game played in the home of baseball’s San Francisco Giants.

Boise State is certainly not the same program they were in recent years. In addition to being without injured starting quarterback Joe Southwick, the Broncos lack the same kind of defensive talent they had during their BCS runs in recent seasons. Fortunately for the Broncos, the loss to BYU means nothing for the fate of this season. Boise State will still be sitting at the top of the Mountain West Conference’s Mountain Division after Saturday’s college football action, and the Broncos will still be in control of their potential path to a conference championship game. Having already lost two games this season, any shot at a BCS spot was lost a while ago, but a chance to play for the conference championship is still their’s to lose in their division.

Boise State’s Dillon Lukehart was ejected for a hit on BYU’s Cody Hoffman on a catch that looked like it would be good for a touchdown. But the hit jarred the football loose and a video review upheld the ejection. Because there was helmet to helmet contact, there was little to dispute with this particular targeting call. With the ejection taking place in the second half of the game, Lukehart will have to sit out the first half of Boise State’s game next week at Colorado State.

Looks like Cincinnati didn’t need to go far to find their replacement for Tommy Tuberville.

According to Toledo sports reporter Jordan Strack, the Bearcats will make the hire of Ohio State co-defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Luke Fickell official on Saturday.

A person told USA Today that talks between the two parties were progressing on Friday night but not yet complete.

The move makes plenty of sense for Fickell, a Columbus, Ohio native who has spent nearly his entire career in the state not too far from Cincinnati. He did serve as interim head coach of the Buckeyes back when Jim Tressel was fired and was retained by Urban Meyer and served as one of the mainstays of the defensive staff.

Cincinnati has served as a bit of a stepping-stone job to major openings around the Midwest and has proven to be one of the more desirable jobs in the AAC given the resources at the school and the local talent base. The hiring of somebody like Fickell makes plenty of sense on both ends and it seems like the only unknown at this point is whether he sticks around for Ohio State’s semifinal game against Clemson or heads to Cincinnati right away.

Kiffin has also reportedly been in the mix at South Florida but it looks as though the Bulls are moving quickly to getting a deal done with Charlie Strong. If the former Texas coach turns USF down, the Alabama offensive coordinator could get back in the running in his old hometown of Tampa.

The Owls would represent an interesting destination if the two parties come together however. Combined with his offensive background and ability to recruit, the area known as a retirement mecca could instead be the perfect place for the young Kiffin to continue to rehabilitate his image. The program is looking to replace Charlie Partridge after three 3-9 seasons but FAU has solid facilities for a CUSA team and is located in a talent-rich area.

It seems like quite the drop from being the offensive coordinator at a program like Alabama but the drive to be a head coach is clearly a strong one for Kiffin.

One of the most interesting hires this offseason has been Baylor bringing in Matt Rhule over from Temple to be the program’s new head coach.

Rhule didn’t have any previous ties to the state of Texas so many folks were wondering what kind of staff would he assemble. On Friday it seems, we’re getting our first look that not a ton is going to change from his days in Philadelphia.

Padden was previously an associate AD at Temple and heads to Waco as Baylor’s new director of football operations. Titles were not given out for the other three members but Brown coached defensive backs for the Owls, Siravo was the team’s linebackers coach and Cooper was the director of player personnel.

Those hires represent plenty of familiar faces and continuity for Rhule as he settles in with Baylor and figure to be the first of many new coaches added to the staff over the coming weeks.

The release did not state whether they would be remaining with Temple through the team’s Military Bowl appearance but it seems pretty clear they will be filling their new roles relatively quick and probably won’t coach in the Owls’ final game this season.

It took a few weeks, but Missouri head coach Barry Odom has a new defensive line coach.

The school announced the hiring of Brick Haley on Friday afternoon, a longtime veteran SEC coach who heads to Columbia after previously serving on Charlie Strong’s staff at Texas.

“I’m very pleased and really excited to be joining Coach Odom’s program,” said Haley in a release. “We haven’t worked together, but I’m very aware of him and the reputation he has in the coaching profession. I look at this as an unbelievable opportunity to work with someone who has such an impressive passion and work ethic. It didn’t take me long in our conversations to know that Coach Odom is the right guy and someone you want to work with. I believe that Mizzou is a place where the sky is the limit, and I’m looking forward to being part of the program.”

Haley has a strong reputation as a recruiter, which is helpful considering that the Tigers are in a bit of a rebuilding job right now. In addition his recent stop at Texas, he also coached at LSU, the Chicago Bears, Mississippi State, Georgia Tech, Clemson and others.

Missouri does have a strong tradition of producing first-round picks along the defensive line and it appears that, after a one year speed bump with Jackie Shipp, the program has found the next coach to help carry on that tradition.